CDC lab results may ID illness

Mystery sickness killed 2, put 5 in hospital in Ala.

By Kathy WingardThe Associated Press

Published: Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 11:45 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | As state and federal officials continue to investigate a cluster of serious respiratory illnesses in Alabama, one person remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical condition in the southeastern part of the state battling an unknown strain of influenza-like illness complicated by pneumonia.

Two others were in other hospitals in less dire circumstances and two had recovered enough to be released.

Seven seriously sick patients, including two that have died, were admitted to different hospitals complaining of flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath. Pathology tests performed by a state lab show one died of a common strain of influenza and the other suffered from H1N1, a not-uncommon flu in Alabama this past season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health are investigating. State health officials are waiting for results of lab tests today that will identify the origins of the illness and provide answers to what is making people so sick and how it is transmitted.

Family members and co-workers have not shown signs of the illness, leaving health officials wondering exactly what the nature of the unknown bug might be.

According to the ADPH’s website, few if any cases of flu were reported in May after a particularly active flu season.

An isolated, late breakout of flu is not unheard of, according to Dr. Mary McIntyre, the official spearheading the investigation for the state.

In an effort to see if any unreported cases may be in other parts of the state, McIntyre has contacted health care workers and let them know how to report cases. The patients who were identified as part of the group all have serious symptoms complicated by unknown infiltrate pneumonia.

The ADPH was first notified of the cases a week ago. They continue to search for things in common so they can determine who might be at risk.

Age does not seem to be a factor, as young people and an elderly person have gotten sick.

<p>MONTGOMERY | As state and federal officials continue to investigate a cluster of serious respiratory illnesses in Alabama, one person remained hospitalized Wednesday in critical condition in the southeastern part of the state battling an unknown strain of influenza-like illness complicated by pneumonia. </p><p>Two others were in other hospitals in less dire circumstances and two had recovered enough to be released. </p><p>Seven seriously sick patients, including two that have died, were admitted to different hospitals complaining of flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath. Pathology tests performed by a state lab show one died of a common strain of influenza and the other suffered from H1N1, a not-uncommon flu in Alabama this past season. </p><p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health are investigating. State health officials are waiting for results of lab tests today that will identify the origins of the illness and provide answers to what is making people so sick and how it is transmitted. </p><p>Family members and co-workers have not shown signs of the illness, leaving health officials wondering exactly what the nature of the unknown bug might be. </p><p>According to the ADPH's website, few if any cases of flu were reported in May after a particularly active flu season. </p><p>An isolated, late breakout of flu is not unheard of, according to Dr. Mary McIntyre, the official spearheading the investigation for the state. </p><p>In an effort to see if any unreported cases may be in other parts of the state, McIntyre has contacted health care workers and let them know how to report cases. The patients who were identified as part of the group all have serious symptoms complicated by unknown infiltrate pneumonia. </p><p>The ADPH was first notified of the cases a week ago. They continue to search for things in common so they can determine who might be at risk. </p><p>Age does not seem to be a factor, as young people and an elderly person have gotten sick.</p>